1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

R. Owen Williams

Transylvania to host tribute to Henry Clay with four Speakers of the House, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University enjoyed a close relationship during its formative years with well-known statesman Henry Clay. The “Great Compromiser” served as a professor in Transylvania’s law school for two years beginning in 1805 and was elected a trustee in 1807, a position he retained on and off for many years. In 1818, Clay was part of a committee that brought young Bostonian minister Horace Holley to Lexington to serve as president of the university. Under Holley’s leadership, Transylvania’s reputation rose in prominence and its law and medical departments rivaled those of schools in the northeast. Clay oversaw the construction of Old Morrison (1833), which is now home to the university’s administrative offices. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is featured on the city seal of Lexington. Clay remained a trustee and friend of the university until his death in 1852. As Lexington celebrates its first ever Henry Clay Week June 18-24, Transylvania will have a chance to reflect on its history with Clay as it hosts a special event that will end the week. “The Role of the Speaker of the House: A Tribute to Henry Clay,” will feature a moderated conversation with Speaker of the House John Boehner, former Speaker and current House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and former Speakers Dennis Hastert and Jim Wright on Friday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. The Speakers will discuss their respective times in the

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New Governor’s School for the Arts session opens June 19 at Transylvania University

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Kentucky’s most talented young artists from 49 counties will assemble on Transylvania University’s campus on Sunday, June 19, to begin the three-week 2011 session of the Governor’s School for the Arts. The latest GSA class is comprised of 225 rising juniors and seniors from all regions of the Commonwealth who will receive top-level training through daily seminars, master classes, lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips to various arts attractions in central Kentucky. The student-artists will receive rigorous instruction in nine disciplines: architecture, creative writing, dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theatre, new media, visual arts and vocal music. More than 4,250 of the state’s most talented high school artists from all 120 counties have attended the 24-year-old GSA summer program following a highly demanding selection process. Each year since the program’s inception in 1987, over 1,500 students have applied annually for one of the available scholarships, valued at more than $3,000, including a record 1,700 this year. Transylvania is among 20 colleges and universities that offer scholarships to GSA alumni. The program will culminate on Saturday, July 9, with an all-day festival that celebrates the achievements of the young artists through performances open to family, friends, and the public. Graduation ceremonies are held at 5 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. “The presence of the Governor’s School for the Arts on our campus each summer is an eagerly anticipated event,” said Transylvania President R. Owen Williams. “We feel that our urban setting

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Transylvania graduates largest class in its 231-year history

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University sent 263 graduates into the world Saturday, the most in the school’s 231-year history, during the first commencement ceremony under President R. Owen Williams, who completed his first academic year at the helm. The previous record of 260 graduates was set in 2009. President Williams presents a diploma to Holly Milburn. On the steps of historic Old Morrison, Aris Candris, president and CEO of Westinghouse Electric Company, urged graduates to work hard and take risks while making sure to find a vocation that will fulfill them and bring them happiness, drawing from his experience in nuclear power and environmental issues. “We have an energy crisis on our hands, and global warming is a very real issue,” Candris said. “And if we don’t do something about it now, we will place future generations at risk. As a society and as a planet, we must get past short-term thinking, and start long-term planning…Every day that I go to work, I sincerely believe that I’m playing a part in leaving this earth better than I found it.” Aris Candris ’73 delivers the commencement address. Candris, a 1973 graduate of Transylvania, a member of the board of trustees, and uncle of graduating senior Stamatios Kandris completed his bachelor of arts in three years with three majors—mathematics, physics and pre-engineering, and he earned an M.S. and a Ph.D., both in nuclear engineering, at Carnegie-Mellon University. His 36-year career with Westinghouse has included

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Transylvania University to graduate largest class in its 231-year history on Saturday; president and chief executive officer of Westinghouse Electric Company to give keynote address

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University will graduate the largest class in its 231-year history on Saturday, May 28, at 10 a.m. on the front lawn of historic Old Morrison. This will be the first Transylvania commencement for newly inaugurated president R. Owen Williams.   Aris Candris, president and chief executive officer of Westinghouse Electric Company, a world leader in the commercial nuclear power industry, will give the commencement address. Candris, a 1973 graduate of Transylvania and a member of the board of trustees, became the first member of his immediate family to leave his native Greece and attend college in America. His nephew, Stamatios Kandris, is a member of the class of 2011. Continuing the tradition of a graduating senior speaking at commencement on behalf of the students, Virginia Gentry Hamilton, of Bardstown, Ky., will represent the class of 2011. Candris completed his Transylvania degree in three years with three majors—mathematics, physics and pre-engineering. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University. He began his 36-year career with Westinghouse as a senior engineer and has progressed through increasingly responsible positions on both the engineering and management sides of the company. He was appointed president and CEO in 2008. Today, Candris is among the world’s leading experts on energy and nuclear power. He serves on the board of directors of the World Nuclear Association and is a member of the Nuclear Energy Institute. He has been involved in

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R. Owen Williams inaugurated as Transylvania University’s 25th president

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—R. Owen Williams was inaugurated as Transylvania University’s 25th president on the steps of historic Old Morrison this morning. Before an audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and guests, including Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, Williams was presented with the presidential medallion and the university’s mace. In his inaugural address, “Question Everything, Accomplish Anything,” Williams invoked Transylvania’s history as a “lamp in the forest” in the early days of the American republic. Reflecting on the meaning of Transylvania’s liberal arts philosophy, Williams stated that the liberal arts could be better called “the liberating arts,” because “they liberate us from the limits of our own experience, from prejudice, ideology and impetuousness, but most of all, from the inclination toward hubris instead of analysis.” Williams challenged students to ask questions and have big ambitions. “Dare to change your surroundings,” he said. “Embrace the world’s ailments as your opportunities. Transylvania will help you find your passion, but to be successful, you must clothe that passion with perseverance.” Gray and Beshear expressed their optimism about Williams and the university’s future. “In the nine months he’s been president,” Beshear said in his remarks, “he’s made it very clear that his mind is focused in a laser-like fashion on not only what Transylvania has been, but on what it can be in the future.” Gray stated that Transylvania “represents the best of [Lexington’s] purpose and promise.” David W. Blight, professor

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